As president of the San Luis Obispo Libertarian Party, I believe private property rights are a cornerstone of a free society in this country. When government tells private property owners what they can and cannot do with these owners’ property, freedom disappears.

The land on which the Las Pilitas mine project is located is zoned for mining, as I understand it. Instead of using the tyranny of government to prevent the owners from using the land to mine, those opposed to the project — to protect private property rights and freedom — should either buy the land as a group and do with it as they please, or move away.

It is incumbent on the Board of Supervisors to allow the owners of the land to do as they see fit.

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